Weekend Getaway #1

Nine children, ages 2 to 13, climbed up the hill from the Lake Michigan beach to the rented villa at Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboygan, WI.  They had a very busy morning of playing in the tall grasses, building forts with old branches and weaving grasses together for the sides then jumping in the frigid water to cool off. Ah, the creativity when the TV and ipods and video games are turned off is amazing.

We parents relaxed on the beach,  strolling to the water’s edge, then wandering to see the kid’s project in creation, enjoying the slow weekend.  Blue Harbor was a fabulous nearby family getaway–only a 2 hour drive, where we could enjoy the beach in the morning, the indoor water park in the rainy afternoon, and sneaking to the outdoor pool when the sun reappeared.

We had as much fun as the kids on the twisty slides, racing each other on tubes and without.  When the bell sounded, everyone hustled to stand under the boat where 1000 lbs of water would dump on our heads.  And then finishing the waterpark time with a stint in the hot tub.

We had fascinating evening weather–enjoying cocktails on our deck while there were lightening storms where the horizon joined the water, clouds miraculously appearing as the thunder rumbled, then streaks of lightning crashing down to the waves.  After several hours of this fascinating sky, an orange orb cautiously arose from the water, peeking behind the clouds, then the moon lit the beach as it finally rested proudly above the receding clouds.

Having vacationed with the other 2 families before, we easily shared the food and drink preparation throughout the weekend.  It was great to have an extended time to spend with each other, catching up.  While running one morning, Sara and I saw many fisherman with their recent catches laid out on the dock for purchase. 

On our departure we shared a picnic of all the leftover food in a park, donning sweatshirts and hoping to avoid the raindrops. We then started to plan for next year, hoping to explore the town more.  C 

 

Just Another Party in the ‘Burbs?

Startlingly red beer cups found in our mailbox two days after the party were just another reminder of the fraternity party  neighborhood party that we hosted last weekend. I can’t imagine what the mail lady thought if she saw them earlier. 

Uncork the wine,  tap the keg, shake the bob-tinis of many flavors,  and mix favorite libations! These  were combined with non-stop food, music and conversation until 3 am. Everyone stripped off their winter cocoons  and let loose that night.  What a riot of an evening, with absolutely no negative drama, just neighbors and new friends getting a bit wild. A beautiful summer night, once the mosquitoes abated, many people spent time on the deck or the screened-in porch.

What began a tame, typical party quickly transformed as one group of boys men left at midnight to shave one’s head!  We waited for their return, a bit stunned they would actually go through with it…but they did. As the dancing began, it seemed appropriate that the cruise crew began with Low; later several dj’s took turns with the ipod–so there was a lot a musical variety.

Shatter! went a beer bottle onto the floor (there was a reason we had a keg…but alas it was gone by 1 am). 

Crash! A human domino falling into the table, knocking off the digital frame, the lamp falling onto the couch and the human himself landing mere inches away from the fish tank.  Imagine us trying to salvage flopping fish if the tank was destroyed or worse yet, calling 9-1-1. Phew!

Rip! went the arm of the fraying arm chair. no one claimed responsibility for that incident.

Ha!  ha!  Went the laughter as we danced almost until dawn.

A memorable night was had by most, though a few were a bit blurry on how it ended.  Next year–tattoos for all?  C

 

 

50-50 Friends

Everyone has them–men, women, boys, girls.  We cannot escape them; some are drawn to them like the unknowing fish to the wriggling, hooked worm, pricked and caught, the lucky set free.  Do they even know what they do?  They must, it happens so frequently.

You know them–We invite them to our outings, we include them in our plans, and they may or may not show up.  They may not even call to say they are not coming.  Why is it that some people think it’s perfectly okay to accept an invitation, then cancel for reason #43 or #97 on their list of excuses?  And we accept the lame reasons with a flourish of the hand, we are so used to it.

Yes, I know that we all have times when we need to reschedule, but there are some who we just expect to cancel. The few I will only pencil onto the calendar, since why bother with the ink that won’t last the day?

Why is their time so much more valuable than ours?  Why does catastrophe (in the most untrue sense of the word) follow their steps, coating them at every chance with the next reason to phase out?  

Why do we continue to include them, if they only show up 50% of the time.  When they are there, they are often witty, inclusive people whom make for a fun event.  

We have just learned that we shall are not depend on them.  I wish they came with a blue freckle on their neck, or a streak of green hair, so I could identify them right off, rather than waste many a good evenings learning they may or may not join us for a cuppa.  I just hope I am never known as a 50-50 friend.  If I was, I would think it time to choose some new companions, or rearrange my life a bit. C

 

Reality Show Rejects

Based on what I see on “reality” family TV shows, I will never qualify for a “reality” show.  The families are either very high-end, wealthy housewives from either coast, moms with 24 kids, or people in desparate need of parenting skills.  My social circle and I have fulfilling, hectic lives, but we are not shown on “reality” TV.  Are we too normal?  Boring?

I don’t agree, though I absolutely fit the cliche profile of a working, suburban soccer mom. My friends and I may not fill an advertiser’s bill, but life is definitely not mundane.  We all have learning curves as our children grow older and develop new interests and hobbies that we know nothing about until they delve in,  problems with school and friends, and some have physical and learning issues.

We all have differing parenting and personal styles;  varying relationships with our neighbors and families; we work hard at our careers, parenting, and volunteer hours; we have our health  and waist-management concerns; we have parents who are aging or dying; siblings we love who we can’t help through their own routines and crises; we sneak in a couple hours developing our own interests when we can; and we support our children-our spouses-our friends-our families as we serpentine through each day.

And yes, we can party until 4 am with our friends and then get up to cheer on the soccer/hockey/dance/karate/thespian stars the next morning. 

We hope to pass our strengths to our children and hope our weaknesses will not impact them in the long term.  Each day is a new journey, and we hope for a nugget of wisdom to remember from our friends , our family, our own self-learning.

So, no, I may never be part of a false “reality” show, but I oftentimes think that my reality is much more vibrant, memorable, and interesting than what I see on TV. 

Oh, Happy Mother’s Day to all my reality co-stars.  I wouldn’t replace you, if given the chance. C

 

Recipe for a Most Excellent Holiday